Bear Kills Moose in Alaska Driveway

In this photo provided by Gary Lyon, a grizzly bear looks over the carcass of a moose it killed, Sunday, May 5, 2007, near Homer, Alaska. Lyon and his wife Terri watched as a nearly 500-pound grizzly killed an adult moose in their driveway. The couple put their dog inside, grabbed their cameras and started filming the attack as the grizzly battled the moose down the driveway, finally killing it. (AP Photo/Gary Lyon) (AP)

HOMER, Alaska -- Odd sounds outside their home woke Gary and Terri Lyon early Sunday morning, so Gary got up to check it out. He looked outside and saw a 500-pound grizzly bear killing an adult moose in their driveway.

"I saw this wildlife spectacle of a full-grown brown bear on a moose and the moose fighting for its life," Gary said.

The couple put their dog inside, grabbed their cameras and started filming the attack as the grizzly battled the moose down the driveway, finally killing it. They posted the video on YouTube.

"She tore apart the chest cavity, ripped out the heart and ate it," Gary said. "It was like she knew that's what kept it alive."

Only a few mouthfuls later, the bear left the carcass and ran into the woods.

The Lyons contacted authorities, who sent state wildlife biologist Thomas McDonough to remove the dead moose. He brought it a half-mile down the road and contacted a chartity to harvest the meat. But he suspected the bear would return.

The prediction was right. The bear returned later that night, judging by the fresh tracks found Monday morning. The Lyons are now locking their doors, trying to avoid a more dangerous confrontation.

"I've lived here for almost 30 years, and I've never had to shoot anything out of defense of property," Gary said. "It was just doing its own thing that the species has done forever. Unfortunately, it was in our yard."

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Information from:

Homer Tribune: http://www.homertribune.com/